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10 retreats under RM250 per night

Comfort meets a peaceful ambiance as you stay at The Dusun, Seremban. MOB story on 'Retreats under RM250' per person per night around Peninsula Malaysia.

WE ALL need a break from our hectic work schedules every now and then.

Whether for a night’s stay or a weekend trip, a getaway can help us unwind.

You don’t have to travel far as Malaysia has many exciting destinations to discover — in the city, forests and hills.

Metro Online Broadcast lists some retreats in peninsular Malaysia for under RM250 per person, per night.

1. Container Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Just as its name describes, travellers can opt to stay in the latest style of accommodation in Kuala Lumpur. Located in Jalan Delima, the hotel, which began operations last year, gives guests the unique opportunity of sleeping in air-conditioned steel containers, stacked on top of each other.

They come in three different sizes — Outgoing, Adventure and Conservative. The Outgoing container offers dorm-style accommodation for RM80 per night while Adventure (RM120) is a cave-like container with a super single mattress. The Conservative comes with a choice of twin beds or a queen-size bed and is priced at RM200 per night.

Grid 9 is a hybrid hotel and hostel, where guests can mingle with one another in a common area. It is a 10-minute walk from Petaling Street and is located right next to the Maharajalela monorail station.
The layout of Grid 9 will definitely appeal to young adults as its target group are people between the ages of 18 and 35.

Grid 9 provides seven types of rooms for travellers to choose from, ranging in price from RM45 to RM159 per night. The common area is equipped with iPads, an LED TVand WiFi, while Doof beanbags provide a
homely feel. A pool table and board games also add to the fun atmosphere.

Just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, is Dusun, a 4.85ha tropical fruit orchard. The family-owned business, which was started over 30 years ago, seeks to promote sustainable farming and jungle conservation. There are five houses — Berembun, Emas, Sora, Perling and Tembusu, which combine elements of Malay and orang asli architecture.

Prices range from RM200 per person, with some houses able to accommodate up to six people. Children under 12 years old stay for free. This is a perfect spot to marvel at nature, whether a waterfall or the beautiful hills. There are several swimming spots as well as jungle trekking and guided walks to experience kampung life.

If you are looking for a place to break away from city life and get close to nature, Adeline ’s Villa is an option. Get ready for a thrilling ride to get to the villa. The only way in and out is via a narrow road and on a truck. The chale t-type accommodation overlooks the mountains and forest. It is a good place for team-building sessions with exciting activities such as whitewater rafting, jungle trekking and flying fox. The excellent food is a bonus.

There are several pack ages to choose from, with Package Aoffering a 2D/1N stay for a multi-haring room for RM199.30 per person, inclusive of government tax and breakfast, lunch and dinner . This is a great place to escape the heat in Kuala Lumpur as temperatures are generally lower, especially at night.

Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya is perfect for couples and groups. The retreat in Raub, Pahang is set on a 60.7ha estate surrounded by a tropical jungle. Visitors can choose from three types of accommodation-dormitory, chalets and campsite. Access is via a 4x4 vehicle, which will take guests on a spectacular

ride to this natur e resort which sits 1,700m above sea level.

At Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya, you will get a chance to enjoy three waterfalls and push your limits by free jumping into a green lago on from its 5.2m platform called the Leap of Faith. Rates range from RM235 to RM250 per night, depending on the type of accommodation and dates booked. Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya also offers day trips to the resort for RM100 per person.

At Tanah Aina Fareena, guests can enjoy a stay in a bungalow by the river. The bungalow is located right next to a stream of water which originates from the mountains. Guests can de-stress in a natural hot spring and bird-watch from an observation tower. A stay in the bungalow is perfect for a group of eight and is priced at RM1,500 per night. This overnight stay package includes breakfast and evening tea, and a jungle trekking trip to the waterfall.

Located in Ipoh Old Town is a three-storey 90-year-old building, Sekeping Kong Heng. The rooms
are above the Kong Heng coffeeshop so guests are gree ted by the aroma of coffee wafting from
below, making this a perfect place for caffeine addicts. The first floor of Sekeping Kong Heng has eight standard rooms with double or single beds and sleeps two people, at RM220 per night. The second floor has a wide communal space for visitors to interact with each other. There is also a retreat space with two suspended glass hous e for six people, going for RM800 per night for the entire space and rooms.

Titi Eco Farm produces organic vegetables and fruits and the beautiful greenery as well as cool
and fresh air makes it a perfect place to get away from the fast paced city life. The resort houses four different farms — organic, poultry, vegetable and fruits. Guests will be educated on living a green lifestyle, including organic farming. There are 2D/1N stays as well as day trips.

The accommodation options range from a longhouse to semidetached chalet and energy garden. A day trip will cost RM50 for adults and RM25 for children, from Thursday to Sunday , while the overnight stay is priced at RM145 to RM230 for adults and RM90 to RM120 for children (Thurs-Sun). This includes three organic meals as well as a 90-minute guided walk.

Syok, which means cool, is a swanky new hostel, perfect for Generation Y guests. It calls itself a
flashpacker, which caters to people of different ages and interests. It is popular among visitors from
Europe, Taiwan, South Korea and China. Syok Hostel provides three types of accommodation — mixed
dorm, female dorm and double rooms, priced from RM48 to RM110 per person per night.

Visitors to Syok Hostel can unwind in the colourful lounge, which is fully equipped with board games, TV
and reading materials. Free coffee and tea is also provided. Syok@Chulia Street has special promotions for those travelling with a student card.

Green Acres Orchard and Ecolodge was started by the owners who wanted to provide a healthier living
environmen t for their son. It is suitable for those who enjoy the simple life, surrounded by nature. Set on 6.47ha of hill land, Green Acres is also a fruit orchard with several accommodation units, all
built by hand.

They are an eco-lodge — a two-storey lodge which can accommodate eight people. There is also a
tree-house, perfect for couples, and Uncle Joe’s hut, which was just completed. The ecolodge is priced at
RM1,200 per night for eight people while the treehouse is priced at RM500 for two people. A visit to Green Acres Orchard and Ecolodge will also provide visitors a chance to feast on the king of fruit, the durian.